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Charming as a Verb

by Ben Philippe

Ambition, image, and a shared scheme

Regular price $15.24 USD
Regular price $25.40 USD Sale price $15.24 USD
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Paperback New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Ambition, image, and a shared scheme

Henri Haltiwanger moves through an elite New York City school with practiced ease, balancing debate, family expectations, and a goal of attending Columbia. When classmate Corinne discovers his dishonest dog-walking arrangement, she uses that knowledge to enlist his help reshaping her image at school. Their bargain links two students with different reasons for managing how others see them, while the story explores ambition, honesty, and the gap between public presentation and selfhood. The setup gives this romantic comedy a school-centered frame, with Henri’s plans and Corinne’s request pulling their interests into the same orbit.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teen and young adult readers interested in school-centered fiction and romance.
  • Readers who enjoy stories about ambition, social image, and becoming more honest with oneself.
  • Readers interested in a first-generation Haitian American protagonist and family expectations.

Themes

Ambition and college aspirationsHonesty and self-presentationFamily expectationsRomance and shifting alliances

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the
North American Teenager
comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect
for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.


Henri "Halti" Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone.
He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the
dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his
wealthy New York City neighbors. But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to
attend his dream college, Columbia University.


There is only one person who seems immune to Henri's charms: his "intense"
classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri's less-than-honest
dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at
school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself.


Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more
surprising than either of them ever bargained for. . . .


This is a sharply funny and insightful novel about the countless
hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves.

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